Friday, August 31, 2012

I believe Philippines is one of the primary producers of south sea pearls and freshwater pearls in the world. In fact, the largest pearl known as Pearl of Lao Tzu and the second largest pearl known as Palawan Princess were all found in the country. Plus, the hard to find golden pearls are mostly available only in the Philippines. These are the reasons why my husband and I love giving Philippine pearl jewelry as gift or souvenir to friends and relatives abroad. Just the other day, I went south sea pearl shopping at my favorite store in Metro Market Market. I also took photos with the permission of Aniah, the store owner whom I made friends with.

These are some of the handmade south sea pearl necklaces. They're the expensive ones because of their perfect shape and luster.

And these are the cheaper pearls with oval and ringed shapes (left) and button shape (right). I bought 3 bracelet and necklace sets in this classification.

These are the sets of loose south sea pearl earrings in white. Check the luster or the shine. A very lovely sight.. hmmm?

Strands after strands of freshwater pearls ready to be customized. Choices of colors are white, black, gray, blue, purple, pink, and peach.

This set is not made from south sea pearls. I really thought they're made from plastic or some synthetic material. I asked the store owner and she told me that they're from corals.

I was close to buying a necklace like this in the photo when I remember the divers in my province who used to take red corals. They are rare so they must be over-harvesting them.

Here is a bib necklace made from a combination of pearl and mother of pearls. Not my type 'cause it looks "costumey", but I am sure there are girls out there who will be able to pull this off in an outfit.

Now check those photo frames with Aniah together with Hilary Clinton on her first visit to the Philippines as US Secretary of State (right) and Clinton wearing a necklace from the same store (left). Yes, my suki also supplies pearl jewelry to government visitors. How cool is that?

Saturday, August 25, 2012

I think I posted about looking for inexpensive but fashionable wayfarer sunglasses like 2 months ago. Guess what? I actually received a pair from Firmoo, a popular online eyeglasses store providing customers with high quality eyewear at the most affordable prices.

The packaging tells it all. Firmoo is a global online optical store. They deliver anywhere in the world. Check the website, order your Firmoo eyewear and see it for yourself.

It was a partly sunny day. We went to Trinoma for some shopping, carousel ride and some pizza. Pictured here with my daughter, I was wearing my Firmoo eyewear for the first time.

Firmoo completed my simple ensemble that day. Glad to see the sunshine and be back to summer outfits again after wearing a lot of cardigans and jackets in a series of stormy weeks.

Firmoo gave me the freedom to choose my kind of eyewear, so I picked a stylish wayfarer. Actually, it was very hard to choose because they have a lot of fashionable pieces that I liked.

I don't have a pointed nose, that's why my major concern when buying an eyewear is whether it will stay in place even I move a lot. Good thing Firmoo wayfarers don't slip down easily when worn.

Visit Firmoo if you wish to fix your vision or be fashionable in a frugal way. They have this special program wherein first-time buyers can get free eyewear. The process is easy. Just go to firmoo.com to know how!

Wednesday, August 22, 2012

Still 2 months to go before the seasonal Philippine Fashion Week. For those who don't know it yet, PFW Spring/Summer 2013 will be held on October 23 to October 28, 2013 at the SMX Convention Center and SM Mall of Asia.

To get the chance to be selected as a guest, click HERE and register now!

Sunday, August 19, 2012

I just did some changes (again) in my diet as a part of my goal to trim down and be healthy. This time, I am trying to eat more vegetables and less carbohydrates, just one-half cup of rice. I am avoiding fats and oils so less fried food, just more steamed or grilled. On the top of that, I am saying goodbye to white rice (we use organic white rice at home) and hello to brown rice. Good luck to me!

One of my viands a week ago. This is what we call tinolang isda in my province in Romblon. It's more like the tinowa of Cebuanos though my version has less water and more vegetables in it. Very easy to cook. Just throw any vegetable of your choice in boiling water and top it with fresh fish. My favorite is this red orange snapper. Yum!

Half a cup of cooked brown rice. This rice is delicious, sticky on the inside and grainy outside. I remember eating lots of brown rice when I was younger. We even had corn mixed with rice during some seasons.

Another thing I added on my diet is a glass of wheatgrass 30 minutes before eating a meal for 2 times a day. Sorry I forgot to take a photo of Pha-Max Wheatgrass, but I think you've heard about it.

Wednesday, August 15, 2012

I used a cloth waist shaper after giving birth to my daughter (through c-section) almost 4 years ago as required by my OB Gyne. I was able to use it for about a month and the result was amazing. It helped me manage pain from my wounds plus trim down inches at the tummy area. I didn't know that there is better version of cloth waist shapers, though. I first heard about this rubberized waist shaper from one of my gym mates. The gym manager advised me to buy the same thing so I can trim down faster. I followed her tip that's why you saw this product included in my previous shopping haul. Wondering how to use and if it really works? Read my review.

I paid around P170 for this waist shaper. It is available at Mercury Drug. Take note, I saw an online store selling the same product for P360. Better go to any Mercury Drug store and ask for Persona if you need one.

It comes in colors red, blue, black, beige and mine here is gray. The front (gray) part is fabric while the inner (white) part is rubberized. The width of this waist shaper is 8 inches.. perfect for covering the entire tummy.

It is very easy to use. Wrap around your waist and press the velcro. Just be sure to pull tightly while the other end is in place. If it's too tight, adjust the velcro to loosen a bit.

This is how the waist shaper looks under my shirt. I was wearing a small shirt that's why it's pretty obvious. To conceal the waist shaper, wear a size medium shirt.

I honestly love this product so much. I used it while working out 3x in a row and it gave me a wonderful result. My waistline is now smaller by an inch. I know it is not too much to brag about but an inch for only a total of 3 hours of workout is BIG.

I like the fact that it helps me sweat unwanted fats not only in my waist area, but in my tummy area too. The constant moisture produced by own body helps my lower back muscles to relax. I read from the packaging that Persona Waist Shaper is more effective to wear while exercising, doing household chores or any sport activities. It also says that the more you move, the greater the results it can give. I used Persona Waist Shaper at the gym while jogging, weight lifting, doing abcore, leg extensions, etc. I didn't remove it until I'm done with my routine.

Hope to lose more inches from my waist with the use of this product. Will update you next month. Ciao for now!

Disclaimer: This product review is not solicited nor paid. All comments are 100% mine.

Thursday, August 09, 2012

Today is a happy day! The heavy rains stopped and the sun came out finally. I can't imagine if the heavy rainfall continued until the weekends, so I am glad that it's finally over. During those dark and gloomy days, I kind of questioned God if it's the end of the world already. I was not scared but seeing the damages brought by storm on TV, the floods and the landslides, people dying, others lost their homes and belongings; I felt some sort of devastation inside.

The Makati skyline at around 1:35 this afternoon.

Manila is still covered with fog, but the buildings are at least visible now.

I can see the California Garden Square clearly. No more low-lying clouds.

That's Ortigas over there which is very clear.

And this is the street behind our building. People are done cleaning.

I am blessed to be living in an area where flood seldom happens. Also glad to hear that my family and friends are safe. God have mercy. Have faith and he will always send a rainbow after a storm.

Tell me about you. How was your experience these past few days? Share it below.

Monday, August 06, 2012

I am back to the gym for almost a month now! In case you don't know, I stopped working out since we moved to Shaw Boulevard over 1 and a half year ago. I gained weight and acquired muffin top and sausage arms, so I finally registered myself in a gym for health (and vanity) reasons. In the morning, after I drop my daughter at school, I go to a gym nearby to work out extra flabs. I normally finish 20 to 30 minutes of treadmill before I combine weights, abcore, leg extensions, etc. with the remaining 30 minutes. When I'm done with my routine, that's when I change and go back to my daughter's school to pick her up.

This photo, taken July 13, 2012, marked my 1st day being back to the gym. I told you, I got muffin top and sausage arms. Check my before gym profile below.

Yeah, just like most Filipinas out there, I have a rectangular or banana-shaped body. My smallest waist was in high school at 22 inches. I am not wishing to go back to that size, but I hope to be at least 26. I don't want to frustrate myself, so I still follow my cravings on cheat days and working my goal slowly.

Last weekend, I had a chance to get a free blood test from Easy Pha Max during our Family Day at Infinity Tutorial Services in BGC. The doctor who screened my blood revealed that I have cholesterol and also acidic. I was a bit alarmed because I really thought I was living a healthier life already. Upon self-check, I realized I've been eating a considerable amount of shrimp and seafood, egg and dairy products and fried foods in the past. Starting today, I am committing myself to a better eating habit. I am following the doctor's advice of taking wheatgrass, eating food that are rich in vitamin C, and taking at least 6 hours of sleep in a day. Plus, I will have more of steamed/ boiled food and fish, fruits and vegetables.

PS. I took 1 inch off my waistline after 3 weeks of workout and 3 days use of waist-shaper. Hooooray!!

Friday, August 03, 2012

This is again a quick post before I start preparing for school. Today is my schedule to report for my Curriculum Planning and Development subject. I hope I will be be able to deliver it well. Please help me God. Back to my post, I am not supposed to publish this, but I ran out of fillers. Well.. busy days and rainy days! Hahaha!!

Caronia pastel nail polish in purple, pink, orange, yellow, and green. I already tried these on my nails, but I forgot to take photos so next time.

Olay Total Effects with touch of foundation. This is my beauty secret to a younger-looking face. Nakkkss!

Striped hanging top. Grabbed this from SM Dept. Store last week. I hope it will fit me 'cause I haven't tried it on yet. Any suggestions on how to wear it? TIA.

I fell in-love with this very cute pink Miss Minnie shirt. I know right? I'm too old for it but my daughter said I should buy it! :P

I like its Minnie Mouse bow detail. I'm planning to wear this shirt to Mickey's Rockin' Road Show next month. See our tickets below.

A cover up in two-tone.. another grabbed-without-thinking from SM Dept. Store. Will feature this in my SALE FIND section later.

Wedges! I found a comfortable pair this time, only 2 inches in height. I could even run with it. Perfect for my casual days at school.

I say, this is a must-have for girls who wish to shape up their waist. I paid less than P200 for this. Been using it for almost a week now at the gym. Super love the amazing result!

These tickets is our advance birthday gift for my daughter. She is turning 4 next month. It's for a Disney show. Hence, the Miss Minnie t-shirt up there. For our Disney adventures in the past, click here, here and here.

Lastly, I received my free eyewear from Firmoo. Yay, I am excited to try it on. Hello sunshine! Where are you? It's been a while. I miss you.

Till my next haul girls. Need to grab lunch now and prepare for school. See ya around!

Wednesday, August 01, 2012

I wore a Grecian inspired dress by local designer on my wedding day. It was an ivory asymmetrical dress with empire waist silhouette. The design was minimal, just a gold belt made it look special, but I honestly felt like a goddess in it.

My husband and I after our beach wedding ceremony in 2009.

I have a dream of marching the aisle again in the future. Hubby said, we might do that on our 10th wedding anniversary. If that happens, I want my bridesmaids to look like goddesses, similar to these models in gorgeous dessy bridesmaid dresses.

twist-wrap design

chiffon fabric

asymmetrical shoulder

v-neck and empire waist

Though I also like the last design, my top favorite among these four long dresses is the first one. I am sure my future bridesmaids will love them too. I know I've never been a bridesmaid myself, but I at least experienced wearing a goddess-like dress. In my opinion, a Grecian style dress is far better than the usual cocktail length bridesmaid dresses I see in weddings. Grecian inspired dresses are more formal, sophisticated looking, and versatile. Why versatile? Because almost any woman can wear that kind of dress in other occasions and gatherings aside from the wedding itself. Just wear the proper accessories, match the dress with a pair of high heels, then carry a statement clutch and you're good to go!

Hello ladies! Are you bored because of the rainy season? Here is something that you can do while confined indoors.. join my new giveaway. Favor Deal, your one-stop jewelry store, collaborated with Pink MagaLine to come up with this awesome treat. Us girls love accessories as much as we love shoes and bags, right? So without further ado, here are the prizes at stake.